Greek fire authorities have arrested three people in connection with negligence-related wildfires that broke out in the regional units of Preveza and Halkidiki.
According to the Fire Service, investigative teams from the Arson Crime Directorate, working alongside local fire investigation units, examined two separate wildfire incidents that occurred on Wednesday, in the two regions.
In the first case, a 58-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman were arrested after burning wooden pallets and animal waste on farmland in Valanidousa, in the municipality of Preveza. The fire spread beyond their control, scorching approximately 2.5 hectares of land covered with dry grass and kermes oak shrubs, the Fire Service said. Both suspects were arrested under Greece’s expedited in flagrante procedure and were issued an administrative fine of 3,557.81 euros.
In the second incident, a man was arrested after allegedly sparking a wildfire while using an electric metal-cutting grinder during maintenance work in Galatista, Halkidiki. The blaze spread to an olive grove and adjacent forest land with shrub vegetation. He was also detained under the in flagrante procedure.
The Fire Service noted that between January 1 and July 1, 2026, authorities imposed 503 administrative fines totaling 594,632.62 euros and made 145 arrests. Of those, 134 arrests (92.41%) were linked to wildfires caused by negligence, while 11 (7.59%) involved suspected intentional arson.
The Arson Crime Directorate and the Fire Service’s investigative units remain on heightened operational alert, conducting intensive inspections and moving swiftly to hold offenders accountable wherever violations are identified, the agency said.
